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Performance: Batman: Arkham Origins and Bioshock Infinite

Although benchmarks like PCMark and 3DMark are useful for getting a general view of a system’s capabilities, it's important to dive into game-specific benchmarks to see how the laptop handles popular titles.

Batman: Arkham Origins

DirectX 11 Gaming Performance

The latest Batman title is a prequel that follows Batman as he develops his fighting techniques and persona as the Dark Knight. The game is built on a modified version of Epic’s Engine 3. We run the benchmark with high quality settings and FXAA.

The Alienware 15 posted an average of 94 frames per second in Batman: Arkham Origins, which puts it well beyond the reach of system we’ve seen recently from HP and Lenovo. It took the Graphics Amplifier, however, to get a score that was in the vicinity of benchmark crushers like the ASUS G751JY, but even then the dual-core CPU limitation held it back.

BioShock Infinite

DirectX 11 Gaming Performance

Also based on Epic’s Unreal Engine 3, BioShock Infinite takes you (as former Pinkerton agent Booker DeWitt) to the mysterious, flying city of Columbia. You find yourself helping Elizabeth, who soon turns out to have unusual powers. The game is an FPS, but the storyline is as compelling as the battles and Bioshock infinite has won awards and praise for its story and art design.

Interestingly, the Alienware 15 fared much better in the Bioshock Infinite test, posting 65 frames per second on its own. With the Alienware Graphics Adapter attached, the Alienware 15 overcame the high-end laptops.